The Gunslinger

“He sent me here to check on you because he’s tending the herd taking Mac’s place,” he told her turning toward the door to leave. “Now that I see you’re all right, I’ll let you get back to bed.”
She reached up to lock the door but stumbled forward on a rug. Without warning, Wade found her body pressed closely against his. He started to right her on her feet, but she hadn’t moved an inch and her face lifted to his with her eyes locking with his narrowed dark look. A strange expression radiated from her eyes.
For the longest time she remained in the same position and her partially opened lips were too much of a temptation for Wade. He didn’t analyze what he was doing as he lowered his mouth and captured her sweet lips. When his lips covered hers, she didn’t make a protest letting his tongue invade the inside of her mouth. What he felt was an exciting jolt racing through his body causing the heat to fill his loins. The kiss seemed to last forever with neither ready to let it end. The white hot sensation of desire filled him, but he finally came to his senses.
Eventually, Wade realized what he was doing and pulled away gazing at a stunned Ashleigh. “You shouldn’t have taken advantage of me,” she sputtered, her cheeks turning a pink shade.
“Honey, no one took advantage of you,” Wade smiled at her as his body temperature slowly returned to normal. “You wanted that as much as I did. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m heading for the bunk house. If you have any problems, you know where I’m at.”
He turned and walked out the door untying his horse and leading it back to the barn. All the while he walked away; he could feel her gaze penetrating his back. It seemed to him as if she was a little more interested in him than she let on by the sizzling kiss she’d just given him.

Later lying in bed, his thoughts returned to the kiss. The image of her face filled his thoughts. The woman had awakened desires in him that he had buried when his wife died suddenly. He thought he couldn’t have feelings like he had for his wife, but it appeared he could.
He shoved the pillow beneath his head trying to wipe her face from his mind. It was easier said than done. Ashleigh Kingston seemed to be haunting his sleeping hours. He rolled over and tried concentrating on something else eventually falling asleep.

Early dawn, he got up and went out back to shower. He carried his clothing along to change. Halfway through the shower, he felt he wasn’t alone. He sometimes got this feeing and he looked around to discover the cause.
Glancing out toward the opening, he was just in time to see Ashleigh skirting along the side of the building trying to hide and pretend she hadn’t been watching him the entire time. He couldn’t figure her out. She usually had a hostile reaction to him when she saw him, but lately, she looked as if she was softening. Leaving the shower after dressing, he hummed a tune going in search of Jim and the other men.

The next few days were busy getting ready for the cattle drive. Wade helped load the wagons with supplies to take along. In his free time, he washed his clothing letting them dry in the afternoon sun so that he would have clean clothing to pack and take along with him.

The day finally arrived and everyone met in the yard. Jim walked over to the men and engaged them in conversation. When Wade looked up, he saw Ashleigh walking out to join them carrying a little case. He wandered where she was headed. Surely, she wasn’t going to join them on the drive. If she did, he knew he was going to have to keep his wits about him being so close to her.
Wade had finally realized it wasn’t just an attraction he felt for the auburn haired beauty. He had come to love her. He wasn’t sure if it happened the first time he saw her, but as he thought back he realized he was a goner. If he had only admitted it back then, he’d have figured out what he felt was an aching throbbing sensation of love.